The Omani Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr al-Busaidi, sharply criticized American policy in the current conflict, accusing Washington of being “dragged into” the war by Israel, even as an agreement with Iran seemed within reach. In a column published Thursday in The Economist, the former mediator between Tehran and Washington breaks with the usual diplomatic caution and describes the situation as a “disaster.”
He claims that the United States and Iran were “on the verge of reaching a real agreement” on the Iranian nuclear program after several months of negotiations. He states that the discussions had reached a decisive stage, making possible a lasting de-escalation in the region. But this momentum was abruptly interrupted at the end of February.
Badr al-Busaidi specifically mentions the strikes carried out on February 28, just hours after crucial talks were deemed essential. He denounces an “illegal military strike against peace” and believes that the American administration made “the greatest error of judgment” by succumbing to the arguments of Israeli leaders, convinced that a quick capitulation by Iran would follow.
Furthermore, the Omani Foreign Minister calls on the allies of the United States to be frank. “The friends of the United States have a duty to tell the truth,” he writes, urging them to acknowledge that Washington has “lost control of its own foreign policy.”
These statements mark a rare stance from Oman, which is traditionally engaged in regional mediation. They reflect growing concern over an escalation that, according to him, compromises any prospect of a short-term diplomatic solution.
